Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa
Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa is a horticultural clustering form of peyote that, rather than remaining solitary, offsets freely from the base to build broad, multi-headed cushions of soft blue-green buttons. It is not a botanically distinct variety so much as a selected growth habit — a caespitose (clumping) expression of the ordinary species — and its dense, dome-topped clusters make it a favourite among Lophophora collectors.
Care follows the parent species, Lophophora williamsii; the notes below cover only what sets this clustering form apart.
Description
Like typical peyote, each head is a spineless, rounded button with a firm blue-green to grey-green skin, low broad ribs and tufts of white wool at the areoles from which the small pink flowers emerge. The distinguishing trait is habit: instead of staying as a single head, the plant produces offsets (pups) prolifically around and on the crown, so that a mature specimen becomes a tight mound of many heads sharing a common taproot. Old, well-grown clumps can carry dozens of buttons in a single low cushion.
Because the clustering habit is heritable to a degree but also strongly influenced by growing conditions and by damage to the growing point, the line between a "true" caespitose plant and an ordinary peyote that has simply been encouraged to branch is not always sharp.
Cultivation
Grow this form exactly as you would the parent species — see Lophophora williamsii for full detail. In short: a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix, bright light, thorough watering only once the soil has dried completely, and a dry, cool winter rest. Like all peyote it is extremely intolerant of a wet, airless root run, and rot at the base is the usual cause of loss.
A few notes specific to the clustering habit:
- Give it a slightly wider pot than a solitary plant of the same age, as the clump spreads sideways over time.
- Good airflow between the crowded heads helps prevent moisture pooling in the crevices, which can invite rot or pests such as mealybugs and root mealybugs.
- The many offsets make offset removal straightforward: a pup can be twisted or cut off, its wound left to callus, and then rooted on a dry mineral surface. Peyote is slow to root, so patience is essential. The species is also commonly raised from seed and is sometimes grafted to speed growth.
Legal status
Lophophora williamsii and its forms, including var. caespitosa, contain mescaline and are legally controlled in many jurisdictions. In the United States peyote is a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, and this clustering form carries the same status as the ordinary species. Like the whole cactus family, Lophophora is also listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates international trade.
Laws vary considerably by country and, within the United States, by state, and some jurisdictions provide narrow exemptions (for example for established religious use). Growers are responsible for knowing and following the rules that apply where they live. This article is a horticultural reference only and describes cultivation of the plant as an ornamental; it gives no guidance on any other use.
See also
- Lophophora williamsii — the parent species
- Lophophora — the genus overview
- Propagation — offsets · Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering